Barack and Michelle Obama, daughters enjoy family vacation in south of France

Former President Barack Obama waves during a family vacation with Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha in Avignon in the south of France, on June 16, 2019.(Photo: Splash News)

Picture this: June in Provence in the south of France. Warm sun, great wine, food and art, fascinating history. What could make for a better vacation for a history-loving ex-president and his family?

There's even a crowd of excited tourists cheering and waving their cellphones. Just like the old days in the White House!

Yes, life is good for former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, 21, and Sasha, 18, on vacation this week in the historic town of Avignon in Provence, according to the French news agency, Agence France Press, and London's Daily Mail.

Well, it's good except maybe for the media cameras snapping their every move since they arrived by private jet in Provence on Friday.

If the Obamas thought their post-White House days would be blissfully free of scrutiny, they were mistaken. Turns out they're still news.

Not that the Obama office in Washington is willing to indulge this interest. Their spokeswoman, Kristina Schake, declined to confirm the family's vacation activities.

"We don’t comment on their private schedules these days now that they’re private citizens," she told USA TODAY in an email.

Malia and Sasha Obama, strolling in the market of the French village of Isle sur Sorgue close to Avignon where they're vacationing with their parents, Barack and Michelle Obama, on June 16, 2019.(Photo: ABACAPRESS via Splash News)

Former first lady Michelle Obama gives a pep talk to her U.S. dodgeball team as it faces James Corden’s U.K. squad on CBS’ "The Late Late Show."
CBS

Surrounded by protection agents and dressed casually, the ex-POTUS was shown waving and smiling at onlookers in one picture.

The Mail ran it with another picture of a large crowd of locals and tourists, cellphones in hand, arms raised, standing in a street flanked by antique buildings, excitedly watching and snapping pictures as the president exited the restaurant on Sunday.

Besides adding up the possible cost of the "luxury vacation," the Mail also focused on the fashion. Michelle Obama was pictured in a black sun dress one day and in a rust-colored midi dress with thin straps, plus a wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses, on another day.

The famous bridge at Avignon, with the fortress Palace of the Popes in the background.(Photo: iStockphoto/Getty Images)

Malia was seen in a white backless jumpsuit, and later in a pair of black skinny jeans and a strapless white shirt. Sasha, who graduated from high school last week in Washington, rocked a a yellow snakeskin-patterned dress with white sneakers.

At one point, Malia showed off her legs in a pair of black short shorts, while Sasha covered up in jeans and an Army-green jacket over a white crop top, a soft hat over on her locks.

The sisters were also spotted touring the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market, famous for lush fresh produce and for a wide array of antiques.

The U.S. flag is displayed on the tourist office of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, in the south of France on June 15, 2019, as former President Barack Obama and his family spends the week in Avignon on vacation.(Photo: SYLVAIN THOMAS/ AFP/Getty Images)

Naturally the Secret Service and French security did not release any information about the exact location of where the former first family have been staying.

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Former first lady and enduring style icon Michelle Obama is back in the spotlight, promoting her memoir "Becoming." At an event in Paris on April 16, 2019, she wore a silky ensemble with orange stripes that varied in thickness. Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Kering

Did someone step their shoe game up because they were talking to Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker)? At a book event on Dec. 19 in New York, Obama's sparkling Balenciaga boots stole the show. She paired the show-stoppers with a canary yellow dress, also from Balenciaga. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Appearing onstage with Tracee Ellis Ross during a stop on her book tour in Inglewood, California, on Nov. 15, 2018, she wore a white suit with flared jacket and wide-legged pants. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Dressed in a tan pantsuit, she sat for an interview with "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts that aired Nov. 11, 2018. Click forward to see more of Obama's post-White House looks. Chuck Kennedy/ABC

On Nov. 12, 2018, Obama wore a royal-blue suit with cream contrast stitching to her alma mater, Whitney Young High School in Chicago, where she met with current students and faculty. Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP

Obama popped in a white wrap dress while taking a selfie with model Karlie Kloss, actress/singer Zendaya, and "Slumdog Millionaire" star Freida on NBC's "Today." They joined forces to celebrate International Day Of The Girl. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

The former first lady looked appropriately summery as she promoted her memoir in a green floral, cap-sleeve dress at the American Library Association Annual Conference, held in New Orleans in June 2018. Erika Goldring/WireImage

Obama joined Tracee Ellis Ross for a conversation at The United State of Women Summit on May 5, 2018. She matched block heels to an ivory, belted coat dress embellished with fringe. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

The day prior, (on stage with her husband, Barack Obama, left, and Chance The Rapper) she layered a black, belted top over a white blouse with ruffle-accented sleeves. She finished the look with black trousers. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Though the gown was a similar hue to the backdrop at Boston's John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, she still stood out in the one-shoulder look. Caroline Kennedy (far left), and her son, Jack Schlossberg (far right), book-ended the stylish couple. Pool, Getty Images

In one of her first appearances since leaving the White House, Michelle traveled to Chicago with Barack for a community event unveiling the vision for the new Obama Presidential Center in an event on May 3, 2017 Nam Y. Huh, AP